Kicker Cody Journell reinstated to football team
Nearly seven months after his arrest on a breaking and entering charge and two months after agreeing to a plea deal of misdemeanor trespassing, Virginia Tech kicker Cody Journell has been reinstated to the football team.
Journell, who had been suspended indefinitely from the team following his arrest just before the Sugar Bowl, was allowed back on the team Friday by athletic director Jim Weaver.
The kicker’s reinstatement was effectively immediately and he’ll face no additional suspension.
“Cody has fulfilled all of the obligations in conjunction with his suspension and is back as an active member of the team,” said Weaver, who was in charge of the reinstatement process.
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In late December, Journell and two others were charged with breaking and entering, a felony, after allegedly entering the house of basketball player Dorenzo Hudson and his roommate, seeking to retrieve stolen marijuana, according to court testimony. One of them had an air gun, which elevated the charge to a felony.
Journell spent nearly a week in jail before being released on a $100,000 secured bond.
Per University Policy 1035, student-athletes charged with a felony are suspended until the charge is dismissed or otherwise resolved.
Journell missed the Hokies’ 23-20 Sugar Bowl loss to Michigan as a result, a game that was decided by a missed field goal in overtime.
Journell accepted a plea agreement in Montgomery County District Court in May and was found guilty of a reduced charge of misdemeanor trespassing, being sentenced to a year’s probation and 100 hours of community service.
“Cody was at the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people,” Journell’s lawyer Jimmy Turk said at the hearing. “He’s happy to have it behind him.”
Journell could not be reached for comment Friday.
The return of the redshirt junior from Ripplemead is a boost for Virginia Tech’s kicking game. Journell was 14-for-17 on field goals last year and 43-for-44 on extra points in his first year as the starter.
A trio of players — Conor Goulding, Michael Branthover and Ethan Keyserling — rotated kicking duties in the spring, although none has attempted a field goal in a college game before.
July 20, 2012 - 2:56 PM
First let me make it clear, I am not a UVA supporter, but it appears that Journell has moved into the neighborhood with Marcus Vick
Wow…really laying down the law. I would have thought a drug related home invasion arrest would have at least cost the kid one game for the 2012 season. Lucky him.
Was this the kid that had his pot stolen from him, got his butt kicked by the guy that stole it…. and then got arrested while the guy who stole the pot, beat him up, and (I assume) got to keep and enjoy to pot, got no charges against him at all? Yeah that was hilarious. Glad he will see the field this year I will bring some great signs to Bleaksburg.
And I am sure that soon the naysayers will be talking about thug U and so forth and so on. How can any youth be expected to be good when our ‘leaders’ are far more vile? If you voted for the druggie in chief in 2008, you have no moral standing to comment on this boy.
WELL, WHO IS SURPRISED!!!! Not me.
well….we needed a kicker…cody learned his lesson
Yes it is Hoo, remember it happened about the same time your guys were getting arrested in Harrisonburg. Attached link for your short memory. Glass houses dude….bring a sign for your thugs while you’re at it.
http://www.newsplex.com/sports/headlines/115582219.html
Surprise! Surprise! It’s good to hear from the attorney that the kid was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Since I haven’t heard that he was forced to participate in the break in it must mean he chose to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Not completely surprised at all, in fact, I expected that to happened.
Still Learning, clearly you are still learning. The two UVa players who pleaded guilty to the charges never played another snap at UVa. So, I’m not quite sure what your point was. Logic FAIL.
Still learning, how many of those 3 UVa players are still on the football team?
Hokies…he deserves the Gulag for 40 years
hey still learning….two pleaded guilty and never played again…Walcott’s charges were dismissed – meaning he didnt plead guilty to a lesser charge..
So there’s a home invasion to unsuccessfully retrieve previously stolen drugs followed by a subsequent assault and battery and no one is suspended for game action (if you discount the time Cody J. was actually in jail and couldn’t play in the bowl game). Hudson didn’t miss a game and Journell won’t even miss ONE game from the 2012 season?
Even Sammy Watkins is missing the Auburn game for his arrest for getting pulled over get getting caught smoking a joint. Well done, Weaver and Beamer, you’ve made Dabo and Clemson actually look like the disciplinarians.
Still Learning -
To finish your story, 2 of those individuals were charged with misdemeanor. Mike London kicked them off the team. The third individual had all charges dropped and remains the team.
Why can’t Hokies understand it’s not the fact that kids’ screw up. It’s how the different universities/athletic departments handle the same situation.
In Bleaksburg, it’s very clear that if you are on the 2-deep, then you can do whatever you want. No repercussions…unless it’s a felony.
Good job Frank.
Hey, we need a kicker for this team to be special and it’s not like he killed anyone. The sooner you guys realize it’s about winning football games and not about looking good in the media the easier it will be to accept.
Pathetic Frankie.. wow.
I hate that he is still a part of the school and football team that i care so much about.
Beamer is a worse enabler than Joe Pa.
I am all for this kid getting his life turned around and perhaps eventually earning an opportunity somewhere. However, he should have been kicked off the VT football team permanently. He could have transferred elsewhere. Unfortunately, this is typical for VT. They need a kicker, so he is reinstated.
Max, my logic is this. No program is perfect, not even the hoos. For what it’s worth I’m a JMU grad and I pull for all Virginia schools. I do however get a little tired of the sanctimonious attitude of some of your fans. Every case like this is different. One of your guys in that incident had multiple infractions. Who knows what else Coach London factored into his decision. UVA is a great school and now has a great Coach with a bright future for his program. Enjoy it and show a little class.
lol @ a JMU grad telling UVa fans to ‘show a little class”.
So in other words Frank looked at his roster, saw where the kicking game was really thin, remembered the sting from the Sugar Bowl, figured we all had forgotten and reinstated this POS. Such a pitiful example of winning being the most important thing and selling your soul for a few wins.
David, you must mean the Druggie In Chief who was elected in 2000 and 2004. Bush was a drunk until he was 40 — and a mean drunk, I’ve heard — and a user of cocaine. But what the heck does that have to do with a college football story? Can’t you Republicans read anything without turning it into a diatribe against the President?
Still learning- what did Cody learn? Breaking into a house to steal your pot back is fine. We will make sure you don’t miss a game. Those cavalier players learned there are consequences to their actions.
Just as I predicted repeatedly. Also, for the record, this wasn’t Journell’s first time in trouble, and I’ll easily predict it won’t be his last.
When Frank needs a player, the call is made to Jimmy Turk, and the maneuvering below the CAP begins. Guilt doesn’t matter. Playing the games is all that matters.
And some fans want a statue of Frank Beamer in front of Lane. You know, like the one of Joe Paterno.
Its funny how many people are so angry he has been reinstated. First of all, he’s a kicker. Sorry UVA fans, I know you didn’t score on us last year and he could have at least help your team put 3 on the board.
Second of all, what’s wrong with giving someone a second chance? They followed all policies set forth by the university, they really needed him in the bowl game but stuck to their guns, Frank even sent home the other decent kicker we had on the eve of a huge bowl game! He made a mistake. SO, SO, SO many other players on other teams have done far worse and there is no outcry….calm down everyone. He is a kicker! You all are upset over a kicker getting reinstated! A kicker!
This is so crazy because there is this Godfather that does crazy stuff for UVA football and he had to have been involved in setting up this great Hokie football player (they are all great people…Frank would not allow riff-raff) and getting him in trouble. I just wish the news media would investigate this evil Godfather.
Thanks for proving my point Jeffrey.
I didn’t say that to “UVA fans” Jeffrey. Just ones like you.
I agree with VT, he had his charge reduced from a felony to a misdemeonor which according to university policy 1035 made it possible for him to be reinstated to the team. If Cody was a non-athlete he would have been reinstated to school. Athletes should not be given preferential treatment but they should not be treated less either. I’m going against the grain with my opinion but I think he should be allowed back on the team!
Accept that we do not teach morals, character or the ability to say no in our society. What I hate it for is for the kids that do things right. We need to talk about them and leave the trash alone. If you know the rules and still use bad judgement, face the penalties. Ask BYU about their honor code.
Still Learning – I graduated from Radford (and trust me, the proximity has allowed me to hear plenty about the Hokies), but ultimately we’re both in the same boat with no true dog in the fight. Just curious how this is about the Hoos…other than them rubbing it into Hokies faces (and Hokies not liking it). Do we have to compare to what another school did to determine right from wrong? The kid should have been kicked out of school. Period.
Oxvt. Shut up with your crap about the godfather. It didn’t work the first time around, you foil hat wearing moron. Go back to your hole and create some more creative lies about London’s program.
I predict the former inmate will kick a few field goals, make some extra points, then yet another classy move, give the kid a free ride by next year. We teach our youth about consequences to their actions. What does this say? If there is money to be made, put the best you got on the field no matter what. Tech its time to change your ways!!
You do know that the timing of this was orchestrated just so all you Hoos and Hokies would get riled up, what 4 months before the game. Come game time you’ll be so tired you won’t even make it to the game. Besides he’ll probably do something else stupid by then. As that great Alabama football player Forest Gump used to say, “Stupid is as stupid does.”
It’s the gift that keeps on giving,What next a player stealing a bicycle.
At least this isn’t as bad as U.S. v. Morrison, where the Supreme Court of the United States even comments on how awful your team’s ethics are. But it’s up there…
VT: where winning is the ONLY think.
It’s the Va Tech football team. What other outcome should we have expected? What a laughable headline.
Hoos fans, as a VT fan I will agree that Cody should have not been reinstated, however before you go bashing the ethics of VT’s athletic program you need to consider your own. Your wonderful lacrosse player had been in trouble numerous times prior to killing his girlfriend. His violent behavior was well known to the athletic department.
Crooked, your statement that Cody has been in trouble before this incident needs some details. This is the second time you’ve made the statement and you never provided any details the last time when questioned. Either provide the info or stop making stuff up.
#33 You are correct in that this had nothing to do with Hoo football, but of course the first posts minutes from the story from Andy were from the Hoos who love to hate (a very small minority of great Hoo fans). I have the same disdain for all fans who behave this way, including Hokie bad actors. So I just wanted to make the point that when you point fingers at someone you usually have more pointing back at you. What you so assuredly say should have been done to this young man is your opinion, and you know what they say about opinions…..I will continue to pull for all Virginia teams, including UVA. I would also root for Radford, if they had team.
Steve, the UVA lax guy was a nobody. A borderline starter in a niche sport. Journell arguably could have won a BCS game for a school whose entire identity is tied to its football team. As a fan of an agricultural school, I’d have thought you’d know the difference between apples and oranges.
I personally sat next to Cody in a Marketing class last semester and I can honestly say he’s a decent guy. He came to every class and was engaged in discussions and genuinely seemed to care about his academics and getting his life back on track. All you people out there just judge others based on who they play and don’t care about anything else. He did everything he was required to do for reinstatement and already missed the Sugar Bowl, spent a week in jail, and had to endure the embarassment of his mistake for the last 7 months, so I think he deserves a chance to play again. He made a mistake, nobody was injured except himself, so all you posters are just mad Tech’s football team improved and don’t care one bit about the individual involved.
Steve-O, marijuana related problems that violated team policy but didn’t get him arrested, for one. Add to that acquisition of items that didn’t belong to him in a way that is not legal, yet he didn’t get charged, because he’s a football player.
Both at VT, and in HS, he ‘had issues’.
BTW, Steve-O, I wasn’t aware you questioned me weeks or months ago when I posted. I don’t make a habit of obsessively re-checking threads to see what everyone thinks of my opinions or facts and then regurgitating replies ad nauseum, when neither party will EVER change their mind. Perhaps you should open your ears to the volumes of conversation that aren’t Rainbow Brite cheerful about Beamer’s boys.
Journell should have been reinstated but punished by game suspensions. As for the sanctimonious HOOS, go clean up your house. Your fraternities are still hazing using alcohol, such as, hand them a fifth and tell them not to leave the room until it’s finished. Classy, and illegal. Happened last year to an acquaintance’s son. He was violently ill for two days and he wasn’t the only one. Abuse of alcohol is a tradition at UVA so no wonder it’s covered up. Clean up your house, then you can expand your boundaries.
Just goes to show you what Tech will do to make sure they have chance to win. Use to have high regards for Frank, no more.
Tom L. – The kid was arrested for home invasion with a weapon. That’s in the same league as drinking in college? I love the Hokie fans…somehow this is UVa’s fault? Seriously.
Tom L. Are you really such a homer for Tech that you think their frats don’t haze kids with alcohol? Its a FRAT dude, that’s what they do, at uva, tech, and pretty much any major college. Maybe your buddies kid should think twice about his choice to join one. Talk about being sanctimonious.
For all the Charlottesville community college fans who like to bring up the Vicks, your school recruited them too. Yes, kids make mistakes, and both schools have had their fair share. Cody made a HUGE mistake, and I agree he should miss games.
Remember this: it was Weaver who re-instated him. This doesn’t mean express lane to kicking in the opener vs GT. Frank can elect to bench if he’d like. Weaver made a University decision with The President. Beamer makes Football decisions.
When you get smoked year in and year out like happens in hooville, you throw barbs around. I get it. And Crying Mike London will have his work cut out for him as he tries to recruit kids who were in the 3rd grade the last time Charlottesville CC beat VT. LOL!
Thats it, I’m done!
Whew wee! I got nothing to say, most of you all ready have.
Why are all the Hoos whining…..waaaaaaah….waaaaah.?? Do you people actually think the game in BBurg this year will be close enough for Journell to be a factor?? I think not. I don’t get the outcry over a kicker getting a second chance?? Beamer gives nearly everyone a second chance. If he screws up again, he will be gone. Simple as that. As far as the UVA guys being dismissed..they were scrubs. If they were players they would still have a scholly. That i just the way it goes. Don’t question Beamer’s integrity, and for the idiot who compared this situation to the PSU/JoePa situation..Seriously. You just made your IQ look like ir was about 50.
I’m disappointed.
Guys, UVA and Tech both have bonehead players. It happens. When the football players are treated like Gods they get big ego’s and do stupid stuff. Much like celebrity’s get off with a slap on the wrist for DUI and gun charges. That being said I hope UVA can continue to improve and make the annual meeting with Tech mean something for a change.
Home invasion with a weapon,please, he didn’t enter the bldg and it was an soft air pistol. Drinking in college, wasn’t the point, forcing a pledge to over indulge was. Blaming UVA, not! I’m saying clean your own house before you try to clean ours. You’ve got your own problems to rectify, we’ll handle ours.
Tom L, Just to keep the facts straight; from earlier RT story:
According to court testimony from Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Mary Pettitt, the three showed up at Hudson and Allen’s residence last night because they said Allen stole marijuana from Dunton.
Dunton knocked on the door holding a pizza box while Journell and Brady hid in the bushes, Pettit said. When Hudson answered, Dunton drew a gun while the other two rushed inside the house, she said.
After not finding Allen, they ran outside and left in a car driven by an unnamed person, who was not charged, she said.
I love how the Hokies keep trying to bring something up about UVa.
Felonies versus misdemeanors you stupid Hoos, felonies versus misdemeanors. Guess what those 2 players that you’re so proud to have kicked off your team committed? Yeah that’s right
That’s cause they did not have it reduced moron (Jerry)
Who had it reduced? Frank Beamer? What are you saying?
I noticed 1 of the others just got the charge upheld by the Grand Jury and had a trial date set while the 3rd is still waiting. Don’t suppose either of those will get community service???
They must not have had the fortune to retain Jimmy Turk as counsel.
What exactly went down? Were you an investigating officer? Do you know prior criminal records of each? Do you have the facts?
crooked road- the rumor and baseless opinion throwing instigator
Jerry – the angry blindered fan who excuses everything related to criminal behavior by his sports heroes. Will still be wearing a jersey and painting his face for games when he’s 50 yrs old…
Jerry, here’s to the season starting in a few weeks, and you being successful buying your scalped tickets. Enjoy your day…
If your obsession with a team you hate is this strong then I pity you when the season starts because they must suck so bad there are no positives for you to spend time on with your own fellow fans. Enjoy that